I’ve decided to start a blog devoted to wine, beer, and (occasionally) spirits. I’ve been trying to educated myself about wine for the last seven years or so and recently I’ve begun the process with beer as well. While most people see this as a first step on the road to becoming an alcoholic, I am interested in the craft, in the science and the artistry that it takes to produce a wine or a craft beer. Both types of drinks come in a variety of styles and within these styles there is a wide spectrum of possibilities. I enjoy exploring the stops both on and off this path.

I don’t have a name for the new site yet (though I welcome suggestions) and the blog’s not set up, so I’ll be blogging about some of my explorations here until that happens. I’ll likely repost over there once it’s up.

So now you’re forewarned. Choose to ignore this if you’re not interested.

I watched The Fall last night and I completely loved it. Since it was directed by Tarsem Singh, former music video director (REM’s Losing My Religion) and director of The Cell (with J-Lo), I expected it to be visually impressive. And it was. Tarsem filmed in over 20 countries, including a stunning set of backgrounds, some of which I’ve been to (namely Jaipur’s Jantar Mantar and Fatehpur Sikri). The plot struck the right balance of real events and fictional, two separate storylines eventually bleeding into one another. I was reminded slightly of Terry Giliam’s The Adventures of Baron Munchausen.

What really sold it for me, though, was the performance from Catinca Untaru, the little girl at the center of the plot. I read later that parts of her performance were improvised, completely natural and that showed. Minutes after she came on the screen, I knew I was in the movie. Lee Pace (of Pushing Daisies) also gave a fine performance.

One of my favorite part (which I hope is not too much of a spoiler) is when Lee Pace’s character, Roy Walker, confined to a bed in a California hospital, tells Untaru’s character, Alexandria, a story. One of the characters is an Indian, a Native American, clear from the vocabulary that Roy uses (squaw and teepee and so forth). However, Alexandria’s reference for Indian is the Asian Indian that helped her family pick oranges, so in the visual representation of the story, he’s clearly the Eastern type. That was what completely sold me on the film.

The ending gets a little melodramatic, but not in a way that detracts from the film. I would recommend it, especially for anyone interested in fantasy.

• Can’t wait to talk some BSG #
• Vin Diesel resurrects his movie career by revisiting all of his past successes. I’ll be happy if it results in another decent Riddick movie. #
• @johnklima Congratulations! He shares a birthday with Albert Einstein #
• BSG roundtable up at Tor.com: http://tinyurl.com/be3stl #

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• I can see into the future. At some point soon I will pass out on my bed and sleep straight through to the morning… #
• I’m so fucking tired and drained right now. There are things I want to do, but no energy… #
• It’s been ages since I listened to Pablo Honey, but it’s really hitting the spot right now. #
• @sixpoint Not a big fan of fruit beers, but I can see it being popular with others. #
• @sixpoint I’d love to try a well-done fruit beer, then. #
• Does anyone else understand what I mean when I say that wines are like cats while beers are like dogs? #
• While I’m not sure about the Kindle, I love this idea: http://tinyurl.com/cnomcl #
• @johnklima I am now picturing you giving birth to Madonna like Zeus did Athena. #
• A great set of pictures of the Indian celebration of Holi: http://tinyurl.com/bfer69 #
• I am not meant to be in close quarters with people. #
• @Shineanthology Lucky you. Have fun. #
• Radiohead vs. Miley Cyrus? Really? http://tinyurl.com/dzvzek #

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• German beer tasting last night at Loreley was fantastic. 9 beers and a 2 course meal for $29 each. Educational and tasty. #
• @thejordache Why would you want to be? #
• I’m attending Styles Session 3: Stouts — http://tinyurl.com/c6mr78 #
• @Shineanthology beef with cabbage and potatoes. Not bad, though I was hoping for something else. #
• The next three hours need to go by fast and I need to get a lot done in them while also sleeping. Doable, right? #

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